Longshan Zhao

Ultrasound-assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction based on the solidification of a floating organic droplet followed by gas chromatography for the determination of eight pyrethroid pesticides in tea samples

A novel ultrasound-assisted dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction based on solidification of floating organic droplet method (UA-DLLME-SFO) combined with gas chromatography (GC) was developed for the determination of eight pyrethroid pesticides in tea for the first time. After ultrasound and centrifugation, 1-dodecanol and ethanol was used as the extraction and dispersive solvent, respectively. A series of parameters, including extraction solvent and volume, dispersive solvent and volume, extraction time, pH, and ultrasonic time influencing the microextraction efficiency were systematically investigated. Under the optimal conditions, the enrichment factors (EFs) were from 292 to 883 for the eight analytes. The linear ranges for the analytes were from 5 to 100μg/kg. The method recoveries ranged from 92.1% to 99.6%, with the corresponding RSDs less than 6.0%. The developed method was considered to be simple, fast, and precise to satisfy the requirements of the residual analysis of pyrethroid pesticides.

Development of a supercritical fluid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of lacidipine in beagle dog plasma and its application to a bioavailability study

A simple, novel, rapid and sensitive supercritical fluid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (SFC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the determination of lacidipine in beagle dog plasma with nimodipine as internal standard. The method involved a simple liquid-liquid extraction method with tert-butyl methyl ether. The analytes were analyzed on an Acquity UPC(2) with a HSS C18 SB column (3mm×100mm, 1.8μm) set at 50°C. The mobile phase was carbon dioxide (≥99.99%) and methanol (92:8, v/v) at a flow rate of 2ml/min, the compensation solvent was methanol with 2% formic acid at a flow rate of 0.2ml/min and a total analysis time of 1.5min for each sample. The multiple reaction-monitoring mode was used for quantification of ion transitions at m/z 473.32→354.10 and 419.00→343.10 for lacidipine and internal standard, respectively. The linearity range of proposed method was 0.10-100ng/ml) (r(2)≥0.9990). The intra- and inter-day precision values were less than 15% and accuracy was from -0.83% to 3.27% at all quality control levels. The proposed method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of lacidipine in beagle dogs.

Simultaneous determination of six bioactive constituents of Guizhi Fuling Capsule in rat plasma by UHPLC-MS/MS: Application to a pharmacokinetic study.

A rapid and selective ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method was developed for simultaneous determination of gallic acid, amygdalin, albiflorin, paeoniflorin, paeonol and cinnamic acid, the major bioactive constituents of Guizhi Fuling Capsule in rat plasma using phenacetin as internal standard (IS). The plasma samples were pretreated by protein precipitation with acetonitrile after acidification and separated on a Waters BEH C18 column (50mm×2.1mm, 1.7μm) using gradient elution with a mobile phase consisting of water (containing 0.1% formic acid) and acetonitrile at a flow rate of 0.2mL/min. Mass spectrometric detection was performed on Micromass Quattromicro API mass spectrometer equipped with electrospray ionization source in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. The intra- and inter-day precisions (as relative standard deviation) were below 14.6% for all analytes, and the accuracies (as relative error) were within ±5.0%. The lower limits of quantification (LLOQ) were 10, 10, 5, 5, 25, 25ng/mL for gallic acid, amygdalin, albiflorin, paeoniflorin, paeonol and cinnamic acid, respectively. Extraction recovery, matrix effect and stability were satisfactory in rat plasma. This method was fully validated and applied to a pharmacokinetic study of the six bioactive constituents after oral administration of Guizhi Fuling Capsule to rats.

Characterization of chemical constituents in Zhi–Zi–Da–Huang decoction by ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry

A sensitive and reliable ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry method was established to separate and identify the chemical constituents of Zhi-Zi-Da-Huang decoction, a classic traditional Chinese medicine formula. The chromatographic separation was achieved on a Shim-pack XR-ODS C18 column (75 × 3.0 mm, 2.2 μm) using a gradient elution program. The detection was performed on a Waters Xevo G2 Q-TOF mass spectrometer equipped with electrospray ionization source in both positive and negative modes. With the optimized conditions, a total of 82 compounds were identified or tentatively characterized. Of the 82 compounds, 21 compounds were identified by comparing the retention time and MS data with reference standards, the rest were characterized by analyzing MS data and retrieving the reference literature. In addition, 31 compounds were identified from Gardenia jasminoides Ellis, ten compounds were identified from Rheum palmatum L., 33 compounds were identified from Citrus aurantium L., and eight compounds were identified from Sojae Semen Praeparatum. Results indicated that iridoids, anthraquinones, flavonoids, isoflavonoids, coumarins, glycosides of crocetin, monoterpenoids, and organic acids were major constituents in Zhi-Zi-Da-Huang decoction. It is concluded that the developed ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry method with high sensitivity and resolution is suitable for identifying and characterizing the chemical constituents of Zhi-Zi-Da-Huang decoction, and the analysis provides a helpful chemical basis for further research on Zhi-Zi-Da-Huang decoction.

Trace determination of antibacterial pharmaceuticals in fishes by microwave-assisted extraction and solid-phase purification combined with dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction followed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

A novel pretreatment method involving microwave-assisted extraction and solid-phase purification combined with dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (MAE-SPP-DLLME) followed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) was established for the simultaneous determination of six antibacterial pharmaceuticals including metronidazole, tinidazole, chloramphenicol, thiamphenicol, malachite green and crystal violet. The conditions of MAE were optimized using an orthogonal design and the optimal conditions were found to be 8mL for acetonitrile, 50°C for 5min. Then, neutral alumina column was employed in the solid-phase purification. Finally, the critical parameters affecting DLLME, including selection of extraction and dispersive solvent, adjustment of pH, salt concentration, extraction time, were investigated by single factor study. Under optimum conditions, good linearities (r>0.9991) and satisfied recoveries (Recoveries>87.0%, relative standard deviation (RSD)<6.3%) were observed for all of the target analytes. The limits of detection and quantification were 4.54-101.3pgkg(-1) and 18.02-349.1pgkg(-1), respectively. Intra-day and inter-day RSDs were all lower than 3.6%. An obvious reduction in matrix effect was observed by this method compared with microwave assisted extraction followed by purification. The established method was sensitive, rapid, accurate and employable to simultaneously determine target analytes in farmed fish, river fish and marine fish.

In vivo study on the neurotransmitters and their metabolites change in depressive disorder rat plasma by ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry.

A sensitive and versatile, ultra-high performance, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method coupled to pre-column derivatization for the simultaneous determination of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE), homovanillic acid (HVA), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamic acid (Glu) was developed and validated in rat plasma. The analytes were dansylated under strong alkaline conditions after protein precipitation extraction, which were analyzed on a BEH C18 column using a gradient elution. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) values for 5-HT, 5-HIAA, DA, NE, HVA, GABA and Glu were 1.00, 1.00, 0.991, 0.992, 1.02, 1000, and 5030 pmol/mL, respectively. Good linearity was obtained (r > 0.99) and the intra- and inter-day precisions of the method (relative standard deviation, RSD%) were lower than 12%. The method was novel, sensitive and specific which can provide an alternative method for the quantification of neurotransmitters and their metabolites in plasma samples.

A sensitive liquid chromatographic-mass spectrometric method for simultaneous quantification of six iridoid glycosides from Zhi-zi-chi Decoction in rat plasma and its application to a pharmacokinetic study.

A sensitive liquid chromatographic-mass spectrometric (LC-MS) method was developed and validated for simultaneous determination of geniposide, geniposidic acid, scandoside methyl ester, gardenoside, deacetyl asperulosidic acid methyl ester and genipin-1-β-gentiobioside after oral administration of Zhi-zi-chi Decoction in rat plasma. The six iridoid glycosides were extracted from plasma samples by protein precipitation, and then separated on an Apollo C18 column (250 mm × 4.6mm, 5 μm) through the application of a gradient elution. The analytes were monitored in positive electrospray ionization by selected ion monitoring mode (SIM). The lower limits of quantitation (LLOQ) of the six analytes were all lower than 6 ng/mL. The accuracy (relative error, RE%) was between -7.0% and 9.9%, while the intra- and inter-day precisions (relative standard deviation, RSD%) were less than 6.3% and 9.8% for the six analytes, respectively. The developed method was successfully applied to a comparative pharmacokinetic study of the six iridoids in rat plasma after oral administration of Zhi-zi-chi Decoction and Gardenia jasminoides extract.

Identification of the absorbed components and metabolites of Zhi-Zi-Da-Huang decoction in rat plasma by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Zhi-Zi-Da-Huang decoction (ZZDHD), consisting of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis, Rheum palmatum L., Citrus aurantium L. and Sojae Semen Praeparatum, is a widely used traditional Chinese medicine preparation for the treatment of acute or chronic hepatic diseases. In the present study, a sensitive and selective ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS) method was developed to separate and identify the absorbed components and metabolites in rat plasma after oral administration of ZZDHD. The plasma samples were pretreated by protein precipitation and separated on a Shim-pack XR-ODS C18 column (75 mm × 3.0 mm, 2.2 μm) using a gradient elution program. Mass spectrometric detection was performed on an Agilent 6520 Q-TOF mass spectrometer equipped with electrospray ionization (ESI) source in positive and negative ion modes. By comparing the retention time, high resolution mass data of blank plasma and dosed plasma, a total of 43 constituents, including 21 prototype compounds and 22 metabolites were identified or tentatively characterized. Results indicated that glucuronidation and sulfation were the main metabolic pathways of iridoid glycosides and anthraquinones, glucuronidation was the main metabolic pathways of flavanone-related compounds. It is concluded the developed UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS method with high sensitivity and resolution is suitable for identifying and characterizing the absorbed components and metabolites of ZZDHD, and the results will provide essential data for further studying the relationship between the chemical components and pharmacological activity of ZZDHD.

A UHPLC-MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of six flavonoids, gallic acid and 5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone in rat plasma and its application to a pharmacokinetic study of Cortex Juglandis Mandshuricae extract.

Cortex Juglandis Mandshuricae is used as a folk remedy for treating cancer, diarrhea and dysentery in traditional Chinese medicine for many years. Six flavonoids (myricitrin, quercitrin, taxifolin, myricetin, quercetin and naringenin), gallic acid and 5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone are major bioactive components in Cortex Juglandis Mandshuricae extract. In this study, an ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for simultaneous determination of eight ingredients in rat plasma using chloromycetin as an internal standard. Plasma samples added vitamin C (antioxygen) were acidified with hydrochloric acid and extracted by liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate. Eight ingredients were separated on a Venusil ASB C18 column and detected by multiple reaction monitoring mode using electrospray ionization in the negative ion mode. The method was linear for all analytes over investigated range with all correlation coefficients greater than 0.9900. The validated lower limit of quantification was 20ng/mL for gallic acid, 5ng/mL for myricitrin, 3ng/mL for quercitrin, 10ng/mL for taxifolin, 6ng/mL for myricetin, 3ng/mL for quercetin, 2ng/mL for naringenin and 1μg/mL for 5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, respectively. Intra- and inter-day precisions (RSD%) were less than 15% and accuracy (RE%) ranged from -6.9% to 6.9%. The validated method was successfully applied to investigate the pharmacokinetics of the eight analytes after oral administration of Cortex Juglandis Mandshuricae extract to rats.

Pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution study of schisandrin B in rats by ultra-fast liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry.

A rapid, sensitive and high throughput ultra-fast liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (UFLC-MS/MS) method was established and validated for the determination of schisandrin B in rat plasma and various tissues (including heart, liver, spleen, lung, and kidney). The biological samples were prepared by protein precipitation, and the separation was achieved on a shim-pack XR-ODS C18 column (75 mm × 3.0 mm, 2.2 μm) with a mobile phase consisting of methanol-0.1% formic acid water (85:15, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min. The MS/MS detection was performed on an API 3200 QTRAP mass spectrometry equipped with electrospray ionization (ESI) source using multiple reactions monitoring (MRM) mode by monitoring the fragmentation of m/z 401.2→300.2 for schisandrin B and m/z 271.2→203.1 for imperatorin (internal standard, IS). The calibration curve was linear in the range of 1-500 ng/mL for plasma and tissue homogenates (r ≥ 0.9927). The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 1 ng/mL. The validated method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution study of schisandrin B after oral administration to rats. The pharmacokinetic curve showed double peaks after oral administration, which demonstrated that a hepatoenteral circulation may exist. Tissue distribution showed the highest level was observed in liver, then in kidney, which indicated schisandrin B was mainly accumulated in liver and renal excretion might be a main elimination route.